A major concern with exposure to bats is rabies. An exposure would be any direct physical contact between a human and a bat (unless the exposed person is certain that a bite, scratch or mucous membrane exposure did not occur). Examining a person for evidence of a bat bite is unreliable and should not be used to determine if contact has occurred. Persons handling a bat can be exposed to rabies through small or unapparent cuts or rashes of the skin.

Local health care providers, laboratories and hospitals are required by Washington State Law to report certain diseases to the Whatcom County Health Department. Once a report has been made, our staff members then investigate to ensure that diseases that can be transmitted from person to person are controlled in our community.

Across the nation concerns are being raised about MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus). In Whatcom County local physicians are also being asked many questions about diagnosis, treatment and prevention of this infection.

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a highly contagious bacterial infection that is known for uncontrollable, violent coughing which often makes it hard to breathe. After fits of many coughs, someone with pertussis often needs to take deep breaths which result in a “whooping” sound.

Zika infection is caused by a virus that is spread by mosquitoes (these types of mosquitoes are not found in Washington state). Zika is acquired by traveling to a high-risk areas or through sexual contact with an infected person. The virus can cause birth defects if a pregnant woman becomes infected.